This evening, given the forecasted very frosty conditions and likely
excellent visibility, we decided to cancel our usual Wednesday evening
intensive training for a more relaxed night time moorland walk on Rivington
moor and around the Winter Hill area.

As it turned out, the forecast bore true and 28 team members were met with
excellent frosty mooorland walking conditions. We were joined by two of our partners ex team member Ann Thompson, Garrys partner, and Martin, husband of Team member Sue Purtill.

Also joining us was great friend to former team member and SARDA handler
Dave Marsh and current co trainer with our two potential ,hopeful, SARDA
dogs in training, Mick Dewar, an Urban Search and Rescue Dog and Fire
Investigation Dog handler with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

With such an excellent night, plenty of shooting stars to spot, something
had to happen to interfere with our pleasant social amble, and so it did
when Ted Handley form Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team contacted
our Team Leader Garry Rhodes, requesting the teams possible assistance with
a search they had ongoing in the Blackburn area.

So at the furthest point out from our meeting point, where our cars and
team vehicles were, it was all turn around and back to the start as soon as
we could !

By the time we got back, Rossendale team had covered most of the search
areas they were tasked with and our services were confirmed as not required
by 22.25 hrs.

So it was off to the Jolly Crofters at Horwich [ Or is that the Beadle Arms – for all you Max & Paddy fans !!] for a well earned pint and
warm up by the Bolton members present.

By coincidence Mick Dewar didn’t escape with a quiet walk either, because in
turn part way round the walk, he was called out by Greater Manchester Fire
and Rescue Service along with his Urban Search and Rescue Dog, to deal with
a search arising from a collapsed structure.

Maybe next Wednesday we’ll get to complete an uninterupted night time walk !